Ammon News - AMMONNEWS - The Ministry of Agriculture's decision to allow exporting livestock led to a surge in prices in local markets.

Prices of Local sheep, called “adhahi” in reference to animal sacrifice on Eid al-Adha celebrating the end of the Hajj pilgrimage, have surged lately caused by increased export of livestock to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, causing an increase in demand as local supplies fall.

In an effort to provide affordable food in Jordan, the government established a corporation with the Armed Forces that imports sheep from Sudan, according to Dr. Abdul Fattah al-Kilani from the Consumer Protection Organization.

He added that the first batch of imported sheep, reaching 300,000, will arrive in Jordan before Eid al-Adha, with prices reaching JD 120.

Jordanians have been astounded at the price surge of local meat in the markets.

Ali Abu Muqaibel, a frequent to the sheep market, said that local "adahi" prices reached over JD 200, caused by increased exportation and monopolization by some traders. He noted that such increase in price might lead to a decline in demand in the local market.

Ashraf Dukhan, a sheep trader and a butcher shop owner, noted that local meat prices surged to around JD 8.75/kilo.

Dukhan anticipates, however, that prices may decline as Jordan begins to import sheep from Russia for the first time, in addition to importing large quantities from Sudan.

Eid al-Adha this year will occur on or around November 27, and falls on the 10th day of the month of Dhul Hijja of the Islamic lunar calendar. On Eid al-Adha Muslims sacrifice an animal commemorating the willingness of Ibrahim to sacrifice his son Ismael as an act of obedience to God.

* (Parts sourced from Al-Sabeel/ Hareth Abdul Fattah)